Boat trading in Rajshahi division has gained momentum as it is the only hope for many people especially in Chalan Beel area to cross the waterbody and fish during monsoon.
As demand is high, the carpenters in the area are busy making boats.
Local sources said for many people in Natore, Sirajganj’s Chalan Beel area, boats are the only means of transport during the monsoon. Not only boatmen but the builder and repairers are also making a hefty profit centring the season.
Depending on the size and the type of wood used, the production costs are between Tk 8,000-18,000 and the boats sell for Tk 10,000-20,000. A small boat takes two to three days to build.
Among the eight districts of Rajshahi, boats are more used in Rajshahi, Natore, Pabna, Sirajganj, Naogaon and Bogura.
During a visit to Natore’s Singra Point of Chalan Beel, this correspondent saw boats moving around from different areas. While some ferry tourists, some boats transport goods.
A similar type of boat-centric business was seen in Bilsa Point of Gurdaspur. According to related sources, the upsurge in this trade will continue until October this year.
Meanwhile, besides boats used for transport, Atrai River of Naogaon is currently also full of fishing boats.
Locals said that in the last few days, boat building and repairing work are increasing during the season.
Boats are now being sold in different markets of Atrai upazila of the district. Carpenters turn to seasonal boat makers in hopes of making extra profit.
They are currently busy chopping planks, smoothing wooden panels and using iron sheets to build and repair old boats in temporary shops near the boat market. Sometimes they are assisted by their family members as the orders
rack up.
During the off-season, some of them turn to agricultural work, and professional carpenters make a living by making houses, beds, chairs, tables, dressing tables, racks, cupboards and other household items.
Carpenter Niren Sutradhar said large boats used for long journeys are not made much these days as road communication is better than in the past. Small boats used for short commutes are more popular.
In response to a question, he said, “Once this profession generationally belonged to the Hindu community. But new carpenters joining this profession is diminishing our reputation and due to this the demand for boats is lessening.”
He also said that during the rainy season, their family primarily make a living by working as carpenters. It takes two-three days to build each boat.
Elderly carpenter Khagen Chandra Sutradhar of Bhabanipur village said, “I am working on making various wooden furniture as well as making new boats and repairing old boats. Two others are working with me. It is a busy season for us.”
In response to a question he said, his family could not afford his education so he took the mantel of their generational trade. The demand for boats is less than in the past but he makes a living by building all sorts of wooden products.
Another carpenter, Ajit Chandra Sutradhar said, “The demand for boats increases during the monsoon season. A small boat can be sold for Tk 10,000 to Tk 20,000 in the market.”
Boat trader Abdul Latif of Paramohonghosh village of the upazila said he sells boats at Samaspara Hat.
“I sell boats during monsoon due to their high demand. People from Raninagar, Singra and Chalan Beel areas of Natore also come to buy our boats,” he said.
He added that the price of wood and bamboo is high so are the wages of masons, so the traders only get a minimal profit.
Akhil Chandra Sutradhar, a woodworker, said, “I get a daily wage of Tk 700-1000. Carpentry pays well during monsoon, and I mostly do agricultural work the rest of the year.”
Not only the carpenters but the boatmen of Natore’s Singra upazila are also busy ferrying tourists.
Farhad, the boatman of Singra Chalan Beel, said while some tourists reserve boats for a few hours, some reserve his services for the whole day.
“On average, I earn about Tk 3,000 per day during monsoon. I also fish when I have no other work,” he added.
